Brandon Stokley: Ravens need strong offensive output to keep up with Peyton Manning

Ravens receiver Brandon Stokley knows how tough Peyton Manning can be for a defense to prepare for.

After all, Stokley spent a big chunk of his career catching passes from Manning in Indianapolis and Denver.

Stokley was on the losing side of Baltimore's 38-35 double overtime win over Denver in the divisional round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. Now that he's on the other side, with both squads set to open the season against each other this Thursday, Stokley was able to reflect on his time playing with the Broncos quarterback.

"You know when you play Peyton you have to be really good on the other side," Stokley told reporters on Monday. "Offensively, you're going to have to score some points, because he's going to get his points. We know on offense that we are going to have to play a very good game."

There are only a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL that can put up points on any defense and Manning is one of them. If anything, the Ravens are probably hoping Stokley can share some of Manning's secrets with defensive coordinator Dean Pees.

Stokley downplayed the notion that any information he could share would help.

"That's the hard thing with Peyton," Stokley said. "He changes things up so much. He'll have a lot changed up. Once you think that you've got something down, he'll switch it up on you. That's when you really pay the price with a touchdown against you. I don't want to be responsible for that."

Given the fact that Manning will put up some points of his own, Stokley understands the offense will need to be on point this Thursday.

From what he's seen so far this preseason, Baltimore has the chance to put up points in a hurry.

"We've got a chance to be really explosive," Stokley said. "When you're playing a really good defense like the Broncos, you're going to have to execute well. [You] can't turn the ball over, can't hurt yourself. We're going to have to be on top of our game."

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